Molly’s Gift gives out grants
‘Every single application hit all of the criteria we set’
A TRUST set up in memory of Loughborough Foxes footballer Molly Webb, who died from sepsis at the age of 25, has awarded its first series of grants.
‘Molly’s Gift’ was created in August 2019 by Molly’s partner Emily Sharpe and Molly’s close friend Leandra Whelband, and is designed to provide funding opportunities for youth development in sport, particularly for disadvantaged children; something that was very close to Molly’s heart.
A number of fund-raising event and activities were staged to raise funds for the Trust and when groups and people were invited to apply for the first round of grants in February, they were inundated with requests.
The judging panel was delayed by the pandemic but it met in late July to discuss the applications and has now been able to award 17 grants totalling £4,500.
Emily Sharpe said: “We had a variety of applications from primary schools, individuals and community organisations. Every single application hit all of the criteria we set and were all so varied with some amazing stories and ideas for events so it was extremely difficult to select those successful.”
Successful applications included:
• A £500 grant to an inspirational young
girl to purchase a sports wheelchair so she is able to participate in sport and physical activity at school to the best of her ability
• Cash for one-to-one swimming lessons
for a little boy diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Funding a primary school from a disadvantaged area to deliver a family fitness project aiming to engage parents and their children in activity together
• Grants to bright and hopeful athletes
looking to represent their country in sports such as weight-lifting, hockey and water polo
• Contributing to fund a Disability Athletics Development Group to continue to host sports events and provide medals to participants to assist with their sense of achievement and to feel included and valued.
The Trust plans to hold a special event to meet all of the applicants when lockdown restrictions ease but will issue the grants remotely to allow applicants to make use of their grants.
Emily added: “We were overwhelmed with the support and interest. Thank you to every single applicant. Hearing your stories was very heartwarming and a fantastic reminder of exactly why we are doing this. The level of engagement we received was overwhelming and our hopes for the future will be to support as many of you to achieve your dreams as possible.
“We are looking forward to raising even more funds this year and opening our funding process again in the future.”
And Trust co-founder Leandra Whelband added: “It is incredible to be able to provide opportunities for these young people in sport and physical activity, especially opportunities that may not have happened without us, Molly would be so proud.”